MUMBAI: This sunday, Varsha, the Maharashtra chief minister’s official residence, will have a rather unusual visitor. The house that’s familiar with political bickering and has witnessed many a deal, will wear a saffron, spiritual look as Sathya Sai Baba will visit Varsha to bless his disciple Ashok Chavan. It’s the first time that the state will officially host a guru.

Chief minister Ashok Chavan has always been very forthcoming about his admiration for the Baba. Every time he finds himself in a crisis, Mr Chavan makes a trip to Puttuparthy in Andhra Pradesh, the Baba’s abode. This time, too, soon after votes were polled for the state assembly election, Mr Chavan was at the Baba’s doorstep to seek his blessings for a political battle that later went in his favour.

As a mark of gratitude, the state chief minister is learnt to have invited Baba to his official residence. Top officials from the state administration confirmed this to ET, requesting anonymity. A dedicated website, which tracks Satya Sai Baba’s movements, has also announced a meeting of a spiritual sect head with the head of the state this Sunday. “On November 1, Sathya Sai Baba will give a discourse at Gandhi Maidan, Worli Naka, South Mumbai at around 11 am and then lunch at the residence of Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan, who was blessed to be the CM again as his Congress won with a big margin,” the website proclaimed.

Before arriving at the state’s centre of power, he will also bless the newly-constructed Bandra Worli Sea Link by travelling over it. “Bhagawan’s car will also definitely grace the new Bandra-Worli sea link where balloons will be released by the Balvikas children of Mumbai. South Mumbai being the financial hub of the city, many top businessmen and corporate leaders will grace the occasion at both the venues in Mumbai,” the website said.

This may be Sathya Sai Baba’s first visit to the state’s chief minister’s residence. But he is no stranger to Congress politicians. In fact, former prime minister the late Narasimha Rao was one amongst his most prominent devotees.